The Coalition welcomes the Albanese Government’s announcement of $12 billion investment for the Henderson defence precinct, after calls from the Coalition to accelerate its development. 
 
Australia faces the most dangerous strategic environment since the Second World War. Our region is becoming more contested, more volatile, and more exposed to coercion. At a time when our Navy is shrinking and projects are delayed, Australians expect urgency, not drift. 

 

The Coalition notes that while the government has now promised $12 billion, planning is not due to be completed until 2027, years too late in the current strategic environment. 

 

Shadow Defence Minister, Angus Taylor said the Albanese Government is years behind schedule and misleading Australians by describing this as an ‘early investment’. 

 

“The reality is ground should have been broken on this facility years ago,” Mr Taylor said. 

 

“On the government’s timeline, this investment will not go far enough to support the rotation of US and UK submarines until late in the decade, if not longer, when threats could arise far sooner”.  

 

Mr Taylor said Henderson is crucial, not just for Australia’s naval capability, but for our role in AUKUS and support for our allies like the United States. 

 

“The Coalition has been clear: Defence doesn’t need announcements, it needs delivery. We set out a pathway to 3% of GDP for Defence because we know deterrence requires urgency, scale, and commitment.

 

When we were in government, we made the AUKUS decision and backed WA as central to our future security”. 

 

Mr Taylor further added Labor’s track record on Defence is one of delay and under-delivery.  

 

“Labor’s previous commitment to Henderson was just $127 million, barely one percent of what is now being announced. We will hold them to account to ensure this funding actually translates into steel in the water, jobs on the ground, and capability where it counts.” 

 

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the announcement must lead to real outcomes for WA, not just more press releases. 

 

“Henderson is more than a precinct on a map, it’s a generational opportunity for Western Australia to lead in national security,” Senator Cash said. 

 

“This investment has the potential to build an industry in WA as significant as mining or agriculture creating thousands of high-skilled, high-wage jobs. For young West Australians, this means real career pathways as apprentices, engineers, and welders in world-class industries. But we’ve heard promises before. The challenge now is delivery, not delay.” 

 

The Coalition has outlined four key tests Labor must meet to ensure this investment translates into defence capability, jobs, and industry.  

1. Investment must deliver jobs, infrastructure, and progress on the ground in WA. 

2. ⁠Outcomes must be tangible within the next three years, not lost in long-term planning.  

3. ⁠Capacity for nuclear sustainment should be delivered as soon as possible to accelerate the arrival of Virginia-class submarines and our nuclear workforce. 

4. The government must provide a clear strategy to attract and support private sector investment and partnerships at Henderson. 

 

The Coalition welcomes genuine investment but will hold Labor to account to ensure it is delivered on time, with urgency, and with the capacity to sustain not only Australia’s future submarines but also to support the United States’ fleet. 

 

ENDS.